Apollo- Complex God

Apollo was worshiped for many things including his ability to provide the world with light, music, harmony, and also his provision of punishment and provision of protection of crops and animals.  He was a multi-tasking God if you will! Both Gods and mortals alike revered him. Let's find out why!

Birth

Apollo was 1 of the 12 major Olympian deities.  He was born son of Zeus and Leto, the daughter of a Titan.  Zeus' wife Hera who was known for her jealousy and of course, any woman Goddess or mortal could not be shielded from her infamous wrath.  Hera forbade Leto from giving birth to Apollo and his twin sister, Artemis, on fixed firm land.  Both children were instead born on the floating island of Delos, which Zeus had fixed to the seabed.  Delos became an important shrine to Apollo for both Greeks and Romans.  Apollo would grow to embody what the Greek's felt was the ideal of kouros, or male beauty.

Worshiping Apollo

Apollo founded his own oracle, which is a shrine where a prophet reveals the plans of the gods to mortals.  Apollo actually entered the ranks of the Greek Gods and Goddesses rather late in the game, suggesting that perhaps he was worshiped elsewhere at first and brought to Greece by traders from Cyprus.  The Delphi was the site of the greatest oracle in the ancient world. From the 6th century BCE, the oracle at Delphi was so important that it was consulted by politicians on important questions ranging from government policy to whether or not to invade new areas or build new structures.  Its status declined when the Romans adopted Christianity as the imperial religion in the 4th century CE.  It was closed for good in 385 CE by emperor Theodosius. The Greeks believed it stood at the center of the world.  Interestingly, archaeologists have found that the Oracle of Delphi is located on not one, but two fault lines.  Scientists attribute some of the gasses that may have leaked due to this to the reason that people would experience 'visions' and act strangely rather than them being affected by the God Apollo.  Below is a link to the history channels short video clip discussing the fault lines and the chemicals, I found it very interesting and gives a modern connection to this ancient historical landmark.  
Secrets of the Oracle

Symbols

Apollo can be associated with several symbols such as the swan drawn chariot, bow and arrow, and lyre.

Myths

Greeks regarded Apollo as the keeper of harmony, especially in the civic department of life.  He provided laws by which humans could live together in peace.  He encompassed the Greek ideals of moderation and reason.  Thoughts that essentially defined Greco Roman culture.  The phrases on the walls of the oracle at Delphi say "Nothing in excess" and "Know thyself", these phrases are still said and thought of today.  

In many myths, Apollo's focus seemed to be righting wrongs done against him to protect his honor.  Apollo played a critical role in the Trojan war in the deaths of Achilles and Patroclus.

Apollo in Love

Apollo had many loves, both women and men, many of them ending badly due to death for the most part or unsuccessful attempt on Apollo's part. His downfall seemed to be that he would often give the object of affection a gift or grant a wish like a new ability and his want to please them usually backfired on him.  Despite his many failed romances he had many children.  With Thalia, goddess of comedy he fathered sacred dancers known as the Corybantes.  The nymph Dryope gave birth to a son Aphissus who established the ancient city Oeta.  He even fathered many prophets.  Apollo's most favored and famous son was the god of medicine, Asclepius.  

Apollo in Art

One of the most famous representatives of Apollo is the sculpture in the Temple of Zeus, built around 460 BCE in the sanctuary of Olympia.  Apollo has been a feature in art since the Renaissance of the 18th and 16th centuries.

Discusison

Apollo seemed to be a jack of all trades in a sense.  He was admired for his ability to live a rational life, putting forth laws to be followed and provide guidelines for living a harmonious life.  The Greeks were known for their forward thinking of the time, putting to work the brain and delving in to a deeper world of thought that hadn't been explored.  If Apollo were worshiped today still, what are some ideals do you think he would employ? Would be be satisfied with how people interact with one another?